Ann W. Smith, MS, LPC, LMFT, NCC
Executive Director, Breakthrough at Caron

Ann Smith is the Executive Director of Breakthrough at Caron, a five and a half day residential group therapy program designed to help adults shift destructive life patterns, improve relationships and foster personal growth. For nearly 30 years, her focus has been on the impact of compulsive disorders on individuals and family systems and the utilization of experiential therapy to facilitate change. 

Ann is best known for developing innovative residential treatment programs for adults from painful families. She returned to Caron in January of 2009 with her patented Breakthrough program - an established, internationally recognized program for adults from all walks of life who are committed to personal growth. A pioneer of codependency treatment, she was instrumental in designing and directing the original five-day program for Adult Children of Alcoholics from 1984 to 1991 at Caron, which reached more than 14,000 people.

Ann is renowned for her clear and entertaining teaching style delivering valuable information on a variety of personal growth topics. She frequently provides lectures and workshops on a variety of personal growth topics ranging from emotional health, to relationship skills for singles, couples and families.

Ann has a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and is licensed as both a Professional Counselor and a Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania.  She is the author of two books titled Grandchildren of Alcoholics: Another Generation of Co-dependency and Overcoming Perfectionism: The Key to a Balanced Recovery.